Justlife has welcomed new government action to offer everyone sleeping rough a route off the streets this winter.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a £442 million package to fund emergency accommodation, practical support and longer-term housing across England. This includes £102 million of additional funding announced today, alongside £340 million previously committed in July.
The programme aims to provide immediate accommodation this winter while helping people access healthcare, housing and other support. More than 1,000 settled homes will also be delivered over the next three years, with funding focused on areas facing the greatest pressure.
A further £8.4 million will support the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, helping small and medium-sized organisations working with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
New guidance will ask local areas to provide adequate and accessible support for women sleeping rough, including single-sex accommodation and trauma-informed services where needed.
The Prime Minister will also hold a national summit this autumn, bringing together charities, councils, health services, businesses and other organisations to help shape the work.
Christa Maciver, Director of Campaigns and Social Change at Justlife, said:
“This is hugely welcome news and a clear statement that nobody should be left to sleep on our streets. The commitment to offer everyone sleeping rough a route into accommodation by Christmas, backed by funding for longer-term homes and practical support, could change and save thousands of lives. We particularly welcome the recognition that people need more than a roof, alongside dedicated support for local charities and women whose homelessness is too often hidden.
“As people are brought inside, we must make sure they enter accommodation that is safe, decent and suitable, with the support and clear route into a settled home that they need. Justlife will continue to push for basic standards across all temporary accommodation so that, wherever someone is placed, they can expect to be treated with dignity.”
